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By John DentonNov. 22, 2014
ORLANDO – With the NBA SportVU cameras installed in every arena, teams can track every step of every player during games. Accordingly, the data from that relatively new system reveals that no one in the NBA has run farther this season than Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris, who has already logged 35.8 miles or 2.6 miles per game.
Harris limped through Friday’s come-from-behind win in Charlotte and missed Saturday night’s game against the rival Miami Heat because of a strained right calf muscle, but he doesn’t feel like the wear and tear of time on the floor is fatiguing his body.
Harris is playing on average 36.5 minutes a game, a stat good for eighth in the NBA. But the problem is that because Orlando is tied for the most games played in the NBA at 14 before Saturday, Harris has logged a NBA-most 506 minutes. Fellow Magic starters Evan Fournier (31.9 miles) and Nikola Vucevic (31.7 miles) rank third and fourth in the NBA in mileage covered during games, according the data compiled by the SportVU cameras.
``I saw that (mileage stat) and it was pretty impressive and a lot of guys like Nik and Evan are up there also,’’ Harris said. ``That’s what we worked all offseason for – to be in the best shape and to be a running team. We all do the right things with our bodies each and every day to prepare ourselves. So I don’t worry too much about that (accumulation). I’m more worried about how we’re playing.’’
Harris, who is averaging career highs across the board, said he suffered the strain in his calf during a workout prior to Friday’s game. He got off to a rough start by missing seven of his first eight shots and he admitted that the area behind his knee was giving him trouble. But Harris came alive in the second half for 13 points and six rebounds (to finish with 17 points and 16 rebounds) and spark Orlando’s rally back from 23 points down. Harris played 39 minutes and 39 seconds in the game.
``I could feel it with a couple of movements and I felt a little banged up, but I’m the type of guy that once I’m out there on the court and playing, I’m out there,’’ Harris said. ``It was close to that point (of shutting it down), but we started making a comeback. When we started making that comeback, I was like, `Man, I’m not coming out of here anytime soon.’’
WILY WILLIE: Of all the significant plays in the Magic’s miraculous 23-point rally to defeat Charlotte on Friday – and there were at least a dozen of them – the most important one was actually seeded in deception and filled with all-out hustle.
After rookie point guard Elfrid Payton – one of Orlando’s fourth-quarter heroes – missed a second free throw with 58 seconds remaining in a tied game, reserve guard Willie Green can screaming in from the right side to corral the rebound and lay the ball in all in one motion. The basket gave the Magic a lead that they would not surrender in a shocking 105-100 that was significant because it equaled the third-largest comeback in franchise history.
Green, who had all nine of his points in the fourth quarter, used a somewhat sneaky tactic to keep the Hornets from blocking him out while he was perched out on the 3-point line – something that allowed him to get a running start for the rebound and go-ahead put-back.
``After (Payton) missed the first one I realized that the game was tied and on the second one, if they get it, they’ve got the advantage,’’ recalled Green, a savvy veteran in his 12th NBA season. ``So I kind of walked over toward the other team’s bench and I didn’t look at (Payton) shoot. Once he shot it, I took off, it bounced just right and I was able to tip it in.’’
What Green didn’t say but had to be thinking was the fact that Payton is a 46.9 percent free throw shooter this season. The rookie guard helped in other ways on Friday night, attacking the rim over and over for 16 points. But Green’s thinking and hustle is indicative of the kind of growth and toughness that the Magic are displaying more of this season. Already, the Magic have equaled last season’s win total on the road with victories in Philadelphia, New York, Detroit and Charlotte.
``It’s a credit to the guys in this locker room who tried to stay together. It was tough because they were playing well and hitting everything. We were able to get in and mix it up a little bit and come out with a big win,’’ Green said. ``We’re building toughness, but I don’t think we’re there yet. We’re building an identity and we’re not there yet. But hopefully we can use this game as a platform and go from here.’’
ROOKIE RALLY: Maybe the most important discovery to come out of Friday’s victory for the Magic was the return of Payton’s swagger and his relentless attacks on the rim.
Payton opened the season as the Magic’s starting point guard and he equaled some history when he had at least seven assists in the first four games of his NBA career. However, Payton’s effectiveness waned when teams backed off him to cut off his drives and the rookie was hesitant to take wide-open shots because of his shaky jumper.
When Victor Oladipo returned from a facial fracture, head coach Jacque Vaughn moved him into the starting lineup and in essence dropped Payton to third point guard status because of the continued steady play of reserve Luke Ridnour.
Searching for something, anything really, to jump-start the Magic’s offense on Friday after seeing his team fall behind 70-47 with 6:41 to play in the third quarter, Vaughn turned to Payton – the 10th pick in last June’s NBA Draft. In college, Payton lived in the paint because of his quickness and ability to blow by defenders. He did just that against Charlotte’s Kemba Walker and Gary Neal, getting in the paint for five baskets right at the rim. On a sixth foray into the lane, Payton broke down the defense and found veteran guard Gordon in the corner for a 3-pointer.
``I was just trying to get us as easy a shot as possible and I figured if I got into the paint that something good would happen,’’ Payton said. ``Willie (Green) kept telling us to keep fighting and everybody was saying to just keep fighting and get stops. We could feel the momentum change. It’s great to do this, and even better to do it on the road.’’
Payton said the examples set by Ben Gordon and Green have helped him to learn how to continue to prepare even when his playing time is cut.
``It was just me knowing and having faith in God that the opportunity would come for me,’’ said the 20-year-old guard. I just stayed ready and continued to work hard. We’ve got some great vets and guys to look up to like B.G. (Gordon) and Willie (Green), who are always ready. If they can stay ready at the stage of their careers, I can do that too.’’